Electric sound horn



y 10, 1951 J. M. AUFIERO 2,560,323

ELECTRIC SOUND HORN Fil ed July 9, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. fan f4 fluflzra BY 4 ATTUIF/VEYS y 10, 1951 J. M. AUFIERO 2,560,323

ELECTRIC SOUND HORN BY A% W flTTOR/VE f5 Patented July 1 0, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SOUND HORN Application July 9, 1949, Serial N 0. 103,930

5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved horn and especially a horn of the type used as a warning signal for motor vehicles.

It is an object of the invention to furnish a device of this type which will present an improved structure over that disclosed in prior United States patent rights such as: Patent Numbers 1,8 9,494 of October 27, 1931, 2,420,807

of May 20, 1947.

A further object is that of furnishing a horn which may be readily operated to produce warning signals of desired character and the current consumption of which will not be excessive.

Still another object is that of furnishing a unit of this type which will embody a relatively simple and economical design capable of being produced by quantity production methods and having a long effective life.

With these and other objects in mind reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustratin practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of a horn taken along the lines I'--l and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-4 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views taken along the lines 33 and 4-4 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2'

lgig. 5 is a face view of the rear of the horn; an

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring circuit which may be embodied in an alternative form of the assembly.

Primarily referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the numeral l indicates the base portion of' a housing which is preferably continued in the form of an outwardly extending flange II, a forwardly extending flange portion l2 and an outwardly projecting terminal or mounting flange I3. A protective casin I4 enclosing the rear of this housing may be provided and the casing I! may also terminate in an outwardly extending flange portion of a diameter substantially equal to the flange portion [3. A diaphragm I is utilized which also has a diameter preferably equal to that of the flange l3. This diaphragm may embody any desired construction. Preferably, however, it is formed of thin relatively flexible material and has a desired number of concentrically spaced surfaces extending at angles with respect to each other and throughout its forward rear faces.

Disposed beyond the foremost ring or gasket [5 is a housing portion l8 which may be continued in the form of a trumpet is of any desired configuration. A flange of the housing I8 is again preferably equal in diameter to the flange l3 and the edge zones of all of the flange portions l3, 14, I5 and 3 as well as the bodies of the gaskets 16 are formed with perforations capable of being registered with each other. Through these openings bolt assemblies or other securing elements I! are disposed. Accordingly, the several parts will be held against displacement with respect to each other.

Mounted upon the base and within the cupshaped portion Ill is a solenoid 20. It may be secured in position by a threaded stem and nut assembly 2|. Carried by the diaphragm 15 in line with the solenoid are disc elements 22 disposed one adjacent each of the diaphragm faces. A stem 23 in the nature of a rivet or other suitable fastening unit extends through a central perforation in the diaphragm i5 and mounts an armature strip 24. The latter carries adjacent its opposite ends inwardly extending pins or legs 25. As is apparent the stem 23 will secure all of the several parts of the assembly against displacement with respect to each other and the body of the diaphragm. Also, with parts of this assembly constructed of suitable materials the several parts may function as an armature.

A spring element 2! is interposed between the latter assembly and the solenoid. It is anchored and grounded adjacent its outer end. Conveniently as shown it is Y-shaped adjacent its inner end to provide arms extending one to each side of the center of the solenoid; the spacing of these arms being such that they preferably register with the pins or-legs 25. A contact 28 is carried by spring 2! at a point preferably adjacent the point of juncture of its arms. This contact is aligned with a second contact 29 which is carried by a spring arm 39. The latter as shown may be formed of a pair of over-lapped sections. In any event, its inner end is mounted at 3| on the outwardly extending flange portion II and as shown is insulated therefrom.

Adjacent its outer or free end the strip 30 carries a contact 32. This contact is aligned with a contact 33 preferably mounted by and insulated from the flange portion l I. The characteristics of strip assembly 30 are such that the latter is normally flexed to a point where contacts 32 and 33 are materially separated from each other. Also, contacts 28 and 29 are normally maintained in a separated condition although the spacing of the latter is substantially less than that of contacts 32 and 33. Accordingly, it is apparent that if strip 35 is swung in the direction of the solenoid, contacts 28 and 2f; will initially engage and only thereafter will contacts Stand 33 engage.

Now with the view to swinging or shifting the strip assembly in this manner it is preferred that in line with the point of over-lap of the two stripportions forming this assembly, an opening be provided. Through this opening the body of a bolt 36 or other suitable coupling member is extended. If a bolt is employed, then the inner end of the latter is headed as at 35 so that a retraction of the bolt will assure a downward swinging of the outer or free end of the strip assembly 30. The bolt is insulated from this assembly as indicated at 33. It may also carry a collar or washer Ell which is fixed against movement with respect to its body. A spring 38 is interposed between this collar and the base of cup portion l3. Therefore, the bolt is normally maintained in a position under which the normal spacing of the contacts as aforedescriber prevails.

To secure a rearward movement of the bolt 3t 01' its equivalent a lever 46 may be pivctly supported n the outer face of base portion ill and as indicated at M. The inner arm of this lever may terminate in an engaging portion 22 underlying the head 59 of the bolt. It is therefore, apparent that when the outer end of lever id is shifted to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 bolt 3 3 1 will be retracted against the action of spring '33. The range of movement of the inner arm of lever Mi may be controlled by employing a headed bolt 43 which will overlie the head 39 of bolt 3 A look nut 44 preferably restrains bolt 53 from accidental movement and may underlie the head 39. This bolt is conveniently supported by having screw threaded engagement with an opening formed in a strap 45 and may have a similar engagement with an aligned opening forming a part of base portion 10. Strap 35 is secured against movement by, for example, the anchoring element 2|.

Now referring to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the several elements have been somewhat diagrammatically illustrated therein. In addition, there has been shown in this view the resistor 48 which has also been illustrated in elevation in Figs. 1 and 2. This resistor is connected to contact 33 at one of its ends and has its opposite end grounded. In so far as the upper portion of Fig. 6 is concerned, it shows a preferred manner of wiring the several parts as described in the preceding figures. It additionally shows a dash pot type solenoid 47 which has its armature connected by link 48 or otherwise to the outer end of lever 40. Moverover, there is illustrated in this figure a circuit breaker 49 preferably of the button type and a source of electrical current '53. The lead 51 has interposed in a circuit breaker 49. Leads 52 and 53 are connected to lead Lead 52 has in series with it the windings of solenoid i"! and is thence continued to a ground. Lead 53 has in series with it the windings of solenoid 26. It continues thence to the inner end of assembly 39 with which it is connected. Therefore, current may flow from it through contacts 29 and 28 as well as contacts 32 and 33. In the case of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 5, merely lead 53 is energized by a source such as 50. In other words, solenoid if.

4 link 48 and the horn button or circuit closer 49 are eliminated.

Now considering the operation of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, it will be assumed that the parts are electrically connected as aforedescribed. If, now, the outer end of lever 40 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, then, bolt 34 will be retracted. With such retraction, contacts 29 and 29 will be engaged. Therefore, current will flow through the winding of the solenoid assembly. This will energize the latter and serve to attract the armature assembly, including the bar 23. With such attraction, the diaphragm IE will be flexed. In its inward movement, the arms or pins 25 will engage the adjacent arms of spring strip 27. Therefore, the latter will be shifted inwardly. This will separate contacts 28 and 29. The aforedescribed cycle will be repeated at acoustical frequencies such that the diaphragm I5 will be vibrated to produce a warning signal. As the lever 40 continues its movement, bolt 33 or the equivalent connecting number will shift the strip or spring assembly 30 inwardl to a greater extent. With such shifting, and due to engagement of the contacts 22 and 29, spring 21 will be shifted inwardly. Therefore, the point of engagement of the armature and spring 27 will be varied. Accordingly, the zone and amplitude of vibration of diaphragm l5 will be varied. It follows that the horn instead of simply producing a single substantially constant tone will throughout the zone of shifting of lever 40 produce a tone of varying pitch which may also vary somewhat in volume. The sound thus generated might, in certain respects, be likened to the'roar of a bull. As the lever 48 is shifted to its extreme position, contacts 32 and 33 will engage. Of course, they may be spaced in a manner such that they will engage in advance of such final position of the lever. In any event, under those circumstances, current will flow in a series-parallel path in the manner aforedescribed and also through the resistor 46. The oh mage of the latter being properlyproportioned to the ohrnage of the solenoid 20. It follows that a continuing operation will occur. If contacts 32 and 33 engage before completion of swinging movement of the lever 40 in a counter-clockwise direction as in Fig. 1, then such further shifting of that lever as is possible will again result in a variation in the produced tone. If the lever is not shifted after engagement of these latter contacts then the tone will remain substantially constant.

The lever 40 will ordinarily be shifted by manual force which is directly applied either through a cable, a system of levers, or in any other desired manner. However, as shown in the overall illustration in Fig. 6 merely the closing of the switch or horn button 49 will provide for a proper operation of the horn free from any other manual effort. More particularly, when switch 49 is closed, then current will flow through lead 53 to produce the results which were initially described in the preceding paragraph. In other words, current will flow from contact 29 after having passed through solenoid 20 and thence through contact 28 to ground; the diaphragmbeing accordingly vibrated at acoustical frequencies. Simultaneously with the flow of current through lead 53, current will flow through lead 52. This will energize solenoid ll to shift lever 46. Due to the relatively slow action of the armature of the solenoid because of the dash pot or equivalent structure, the lever 40 will be shifted at one speed or another according to the setting of the parts. In any event, no effort additional to that involved in the closing of switch 49 will be necessary to assure an operation of the mechanism in the manner previously described.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. An electrically actuated horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature including in combination a reciprocable movable strip electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, a first contact engageable with said reciprocable strip to energize said solenoid, a member supporting said first contact mounted between said solenoid and armature so as to be vibrated by said armature and vary the position of engagement between said first contact and said reciprocable strip, a second contact engageable with said reciprocable strip to energize said solenoid at a more extreme position of reciprocation of said strip than said engagement between said first contact and said strip, a resistance connected between said first and said second contacts so that said solenoid is energized by engagement between said second contact and said reciprocable strip through said resistance and means for reciprocating said reciprocable strip.

2. In a horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature and a spring flexed by said armature upon attraction by said solenoid, the combination of a first contact on said spring, a movable arm disposed adjacent and transverse to said spring and electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, one end of said arm immovable, one end of said arm movable in a direction toward and away from said spring, a reciprocable member cooperable and movable with the movable end of said movable arm, mechanical means cooperable with said reciprocable member to variably operate said member in the direction of the movement of said arm, a second contact on said arm out of contact with said first contact in the de-energized state of said solenoid and engageable with said first contact to energize said solenoid, said reciprocation of said movable arm being variable to vary the position of engagement between said first and second contacts along the direction of the movement of said movable arm whereby actuation of said mechanical means causes reciprocation of said reciprocable member and said movable arm to bring about a variation in the engagement between said first and second contacts and the flexure of said spring by said armature with a consequent variation in the sound produced by said diaphragm.

3. In a horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature and a member engaged by said armature upon attraction by said solenoid the combination of a first contact on said member electrically connected in the solenoid energization circuit, a first reciprocable means adjacent said member electrically connected in said solenoid energization circuit and movable in a direction toward and away from said member, a second means variably operable in the direction of reciprocation of said first means, said second means being cooperable and movable with said first reciprocablemeans, a second contact attached to said first reciprocable means and out of contact with said first contact in the de-energized state of said solenoid,said first reciprocable means and said secondcontact being movable to engage said ,second means causes reciprocation of said first reciprocable means to bring about a variation'in the engagement between said first and second contacts and the movement of said member by said armature with a consequent variation in the sound produced by said diaphragm.

4. In a horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature the combination of a spring flexed by said armature upon attraction by said solenoid, a first contact on said spring movable therewith and connected in the solenoid energization circuit, a reciprocable arm independent of and disposed adjacent to said spring and electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, one end of said reciprocable arm immovable, the other end of said reciprocable arm being freely movable in a direction toward and away from said spring, reciprocable means cooperable with said free end of said reciprocable arm to variably reciprocate said reciprocable arm toward and away from said spring, a second contact on said reciprocable arm out of engagement with said first contact in the de-energized state of said solenoid and engageable with said first contact to energize said solenoid, said operation of said reciprocable means being variable to vary the position of engagement between said first and second contacts along the direction of the reciprocation of said reciprocable arm whereby actuation of said reciprocable means causes reciprocation of said reciprocable arm to bring about a variation in the engagement between said first and second contacts and the fiexure of said spring by said armature with a consequent variation in the sound produced by said diaphragm.

5. In a horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature the combination of a spring interposed between said armature and solenoid, a free end of said interposed spring extending transversely halfway across said armature and anchored at the opposite end so as to be flexed by movement of said armature toward said solenoid, a first contact positioned on said spring substantially equidistant between said anchored end and said free end and electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, a movable arm disposed adjacent to said spring and electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, a fixed end of said movable arm, a freely movable end of said movable arm reciprocable in a direction toward and away from said spring, a reciprocable member cooperable and movable with the movable end of said movable arm, means cooperable with said reciprocable member to variably operate said member in the direction of the reciprocation of said movable arm, a second contact on said arm out of contact with said first contact in the deenergized state of said solenoid and engageable with said first contact to energize said solenoid, said reciprocation of said movable arm being variable to vary the position of engagement between said first and second contacts along the direction diaphragm.

.of the reciprocation of said movable arm whereby actuation of said means causes reciprocation of said reciprocable member and said movable arm to bring about a variation in the engagement between said firstand second contacts and the flexure ofsaid spring by said armature with a con- REFERENCES CITED The following "references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Dean June 8, 1915 Dorsey Sept. 24, 1929 Scofield July 11, 1939 Critchfield Mar. 19, 1935 Ellery Sept. 9, 1941 Moulding Nov. 4, 1941 

